Brake Controller Recommendation for a 2016 Chrysler Town and Country with Factory Tow Package
Updated 06/23/2016 | Published 06/21/2016
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Question:
I have a 2016 Chrysler town and country limited with the factory tow package. I checked all the wiring at the 7 prong connector and everything is wired correctly. Nothing I can find tells me if I need a brake controller or if it is built into the electronics. How do I know if a controller is needed and if there is a controller harnase that has an adapter plug? Can you give me any direction?
asked by: Roger D
Expert Reply:
The 2016 Town and Country does not come with a factory integrated brake controller. If the 7-Way connector on your 2016 Chrysler Town and Country was factory installed, which is must have been since it has the factory tow package, then installing a brake controller won't be much trouble at all.
First, sometimes on vehicles that have the factory tow package there will be a brake controller harness that is included. They usually stick it in the glove box. I do not know if Chrysler provides this and nothing is said about it in the owner's manual. But if there is a harness then you will likely plug one end of it into the vehicle and the other end will need to be hardwired to a brake controller by function.
On factory harnesses they will usually list the functions of the wires to make installation easier. On a brake controller such as # 90885 the white wire is ground, black is 12 volt power, blue is output to the trailer brakes, and red is input from the brake switch.
If the vehicle does not have a factory harness the brake controller will have to be hardwired in using installation kit # 5506. Using the wiring in the kit the white brake control wire will connect to the negative battery terminal. Black will go to the positive terminal via the 30 amp circuit breaker included with the wiring kit. Blue will need to go from the controller and back to the back of the 7-Way where it will connect to the 7 o'clock position. You can remove a wire if there is already one in that location.
That just leaves the red wire. To install it first locate the brake switch which is usually above the brake pedal or attached to the brake pedal arm. There will be several wires going in and out of it. Use a circuit tester such as # PTW2993 to test the brake switch wires. You will need the one that only has power when the brake pedal is pressed. If the wire has power with the headlights or turn signals on then it is not the correct wire.
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